Outcome of Active and Physiological Management of Third Stage of Labour in a Tertiary Hospital in Aba, Abia State.

Authors

  • Gift Uruchi Umusumimie Africa Centre of Excellence for Public Health and Toxicological Research, University of Port Harcourt, River State Nigeria image/svg+xml
  • Patricia Ukaigwe University of Port Harcourt, River State, Nigeria  image/svg+xml

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71637/tnhj.v25i3.688

Keywords:

Management, Assessing, Outcome, Active, Physiological

Abstract

Background: Active management of third stage of labour involves giving prophylactic uterotonic agents, early cord clamping and cutting and, the use of controlled-cord-traction to deliver the placenta, while the physiological management of third stage of labour is a natural process that occurs following the end of the second stage of labour. This aim is to assess outcome of third stage of labour management outcome between active and physiological management during vaginal delivery.  

Method: The study was a cross-sectional comparative analytic survey research design. The sample size is 200 participants comprising 150 midwives and 50 doctors, obtained through census sampling. Data was collected using self-structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS.  

Findings: About 65% of the respondents utilized active method while 35% of the respondents utilized physiological method. Outcome of physiological method revealed that 55% of the respondents never encounter uterine inversion and accidental cutting of the umbilical cord while the placenta is still in-utero respectively. 55% respondents expressed that retained placenta and blood loss is always expected in this method. 60% of respondents always encounter PPH while managing their patients on physiologic method.  

Conclusion: The outcome of physiological method includes prolonged third stage period, retained placenta and increased blood loss, while the outcome of active method includes short period of third stage of labour, decreased blood loss, uterine inversion, accidental cutting of umbilical cord. 

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Published

2025-10-16

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Original Articles

How to Cite

Outcome of Active and Physiological Management of Third Stage of Labour in a Tertiary Hospital in Aba, Abia State. (2025). The Nigerian Health Journal, 25(3), 899 – 905. https://doi.org/10.71637/tnhj.v25i3.688

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